Sarvam Maya


Sarvam Maya is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language supernatural comedy film written and directed by Akhil Sathyan. Produced by Firefly Films, the film stars Nivin Pauly in the lead role and Riya Shibu in the title role along with Aju Varghese, Janardhanan, and Preity Mukhundhan. The film is produced by Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon under Firefly Productions.
Sarvam Maya released worldwide on 25 December 2025 in theatres, coinciding with Christmas. The film received critical acclaim with praise for the performances, direction, music, pacing, execution, story, humour, cinematography, screenplay, and light-heartedness. It has emerged as the List of [Malayalam films of 2025#Box office collection|fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2025] and one of the Malayalam films|highest-grossing Malayalam films] of all time.
Critics described Sarvam Maya as the commercial comeback of Nivin, following a series of unsuccessful films.

Plot

Prabhendu Namboothiri is an aspiring guitarist and an atheist born into a traditional Brahmin priest family in Kerala. After his visa application to a European country is rejected, he returns to his hometown of Palakkad. Unable to find stable work, he temporarily assists his cousin Roopesh, who works as a priest.
The exorcism ritual he is partaking in at an advocate’s house seemingly is successful. But soon after, Prabhendu starts experiencing the presence of a young woman visible only to him. The woman has no memory of her identity or past, and Prabhendu casually nicknames her “Delulu”. As he continues pursuing his music career, Delulu accompanies him, and the two gradually form a close emotional bond.
Delulu begins to show human-like behaviour, including taking Prabhendu’s belongings, ordering clothes, and interacting with her surroundings, which at times creates confusion for people around him. She also urges Prabhendu to speak to his estranged father, with whom he has not had a meaningful conversation for several years following the death of his mother. Prabhendu also forms a friendship with Saadhya, the manager of a Bollywood music director from Mumbai who brings Prabhendu to his attention.
Over time, Delulu develops romantic feelings for Prabhendu, but he hesitates to respond, stating that such a relationship is not possible.
Later, Prabhendu narrowly escapes a serious road accident, after which Delulu begins to recover memories of her past. She remembers that her name is Maya Mathew Manjooran and that she lives with her family in Kuttikkanam in Idukki. Maya is in love with her senior and travels with her family to propose to him. During this journey, she meets with a vehicular accident that eventually leads to her being declared brain-dead.
After fully recalling her past, Maya embraces Prabhendu, during which Prabhendu experiences her memories and sheds a tear. With her story acknowledged and understood, Maya disappears peacefully.
Prabhendu later travels to Kuttikkanam and meets Maya’s mother, introducing himself as her friend. When Maya’s mother asks whether he is the one Maya loved, Prabhendu pauses before answering in the affirmative. As he leaves the house, he feels a gentle breeze, recalling Maya’s earlier reference to it as a form of her presence. In the end, Prabhendu fulfills his dream of becoming a musician and continues living his life to the fullest, guided by Maya's memories.

Cast

Development

In December 2023, Nivin Pauly announced he was collaborating with director Akhil Sathyan for the latter's sophomore directorial. Sathyan's debut film, Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, was initially set to feature Nivin as the lead actor before he was replaced with Fahadh Faasil. Sathyan confirmed the project the following May. The official title, Sarvam Maya, was announced in July 2025.
The theatrical release date poster was revealed on 20 November 2025. Principal photography took place through 2025. Filming had wrapped by November 2025.

Release

Theatrical

Sarvam Maya was released on 25 December 2025 as a Christmas release.

Home media

The post-theatrical digital streaming rights of Sarvam Maya were acquired by JioHotstar. The film is set to stream from January 30th onwards.

Reception

Sarvam Maya received fairly positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10.
Sajin Shrijith of The Week gave 4/5 stars and wrote "The film marks the triumphant return of Nivin Pauly to his beloved charming persona in a feel-good fantasy directed by Akhil Sathyan, who presents a heartwarming 'ghost-as-angel' story, perfect for the holiday season" Gayathiri Krishna of OTTplay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese are portrayed in Akhil Sathyan's film in a way that appeals to Malayalis. Additionally, Riya Shibu is a real find." Janani K of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Sarvam Maya is a wholesome film with a lot of heart. The pace of the film may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Sarvam Maya is a film that deserves to receive as much love as it gives." Risha Ganguly of Times Now gave 3/5 stars and wrote "For viewers looking for a festive release that offers light chills, gentle laughs and introspection, Sarvam Maya proves to be a decent choice."
Onmanorama termed it a modest fantasy that relies on character dynamics and situational humour rather than melodrama. Zoom TV wrote that the film offers a restrained blend of belief and anxiety, focusing more on atmosphere and performances than conventional scares.